Many schools in Kenya have limited resources and lack electricity, so it may seem an odd thing to send them a product designed to help children develop their computer skills. But that is exactly what happened in an extraordinary tie-up between a charity and a company that has produced an imaginative and innovative game, which helps develop keyboard and literacy skills in young children.
Keyboard Crazy is a board game that uses an over-sized keyboard layout and number and letter tiles. Through a series of games, children spell words by putting the correct tiles on the board, but the catch is, they have to place them in the same position they would be on a QWERTY keyboard. This helps them learn the keyboard layout and research has shown that Keyboard Crazy helps children develop keyboard skills faster.
Keyboard Crazy has received glowing reviews by schools and LEAs that have used the game and it not only improves keyboard skills, but helps develop literacy skills too. It’s also great fun to use. So how did the game end up in Africa? “We decided to make a donation to Comic Relief for schools in Africa, and they put us in touch with Widows and Orphans International,” explains Robert Bell, director of Keyboard Crazy.
Training for a brighter future
Widows and Orphans International (WOI) is a registered charity based in Barking and Dagenham. It was formed in 1997 as a self-help group for Kenyans living in East London. In 2001, it changed its name to WOI and widened its support. “A lot of people’s lives were being devastated. People were dying of Aids and more and more men were dying and leaving women and children behind,” explains Eva Ochola, WOI’s project co-ordinator. Almost 900,000 children in Kenya alone have been left orphaned as a result of Aids. “Widows wanted to get out there to support themselves, so we provided training, including computer training. We also needed to help educate the children” explains Eva. Today, WOI has six full time staff and is involved in health and education projects in the UK and Kenya, including the building of a health centre in Kenya with help from staff and students at Kings College, London, Nottingham University and Reading University.
Today, WOI, with support from the LSE and Barking College, offers 17 education courses, including IT skills and English as a Foreign Language. “Keyboard Crazy contacted us and when they told us about their game and the fact that it could be used without electricity, we thought ‘that is fantastic!’” recalls Eva, “we thought it was a great format for children.” Keyboard Crazy was invited down to WOI’s offices in Dagenham to demonstrate the game to a group of children. “The way they demonstrated it was very encouraging. It was a fun game and great for learning the alphabet and times table,” says Eva. “I remember one child was playing the game and she got a call from her mum on her mobile, but she wouldn’t take it because she wanted to carry on with the game!” recalls Robert.
Making a difference
WOI were so impressed by Keyboard Crazy that it has kept two samples for use in the UK and sent more eight samples over the Kenya. Although it’s primarily used for developing literacy and numeracy skills, as Kenya’s economy develops and its use of ICT increases, some of the children using the game today, could well find it helps them use computers tomorrow. “We are delighted with the game and it’s making a difference over here and in Kenya,” says Eva.
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